UN Human Rights report on the Philippines

Summary

The video script documents the alarming situation in the Philippines since the launch of the 'war on drugs' in 2016, which has resulted in thousands of deaths and the targeting of human rights defenders, journalists, and lawyers. The report reveals a lack of willingness to investigate these incidents, with evidence suggesting police may have been encouraged to violate due process. It also uncovers planted evidence and manipulated police reports. Human rights defenders face death threats and are equated with terrorists. The High Commissioner calls for an independent investigation into the human rights violations, urging a credible inquiry to bring justice to the victims.

Takeaways

• 💔 Thousands have been killed since the launch of the war on drugs in 2016.
• 🗞️ At least 248 human rights defenders, journalists, trade unionists, and lawyers have been killed in relation to their work.
• 🔍 The report reviewed government documentation, official figures, data, and CCTV footage of killings.
• 🚫 There is an apparent unwillingness to investigate these incidents.
• 📜 The war on drugs was initiated through a command circular with language that could encourage due process violations.
• 🔫 25 police reports suggest guns were planted on killed drug suspects to justify the killings.
• 📝 22 other reports show the use of cut and paste language, indicating a lack of integrity in post-operative investigations.
• 🔗 Serial numbers of guns found on drug suspects in the 25 reports were identical, suggesting planted evidence.
• 🚫 Death threats and harassment against human rights defenders include being labeled as terrorists and associated with armed groups.
• 👥 Human rights defenders depicted in threatening posters were subsequently killed.
• 📢 The High Commissioner calls for an independent investigation into the human rights violations in the Philippines, which could be national or international.

Q & A

What is the context of the 'war on drugs' mentioned in the script?

The 'war on drugs' refers to a campaign launched in 2016 that has resulted in thousands of deaths and has been associated with numerous human rights violations.

How many human rights defenders, journalists, trade unionists, and lawyers have been killed in relation to their work since 2016 according to the script?

At least 248 human rights defenders, journalists, trade unionists, and lawyers have been documented as killed in relation to their work.

What kind of documentation did the script mention reviewing to gather information on the killings?

The script mentions reviewing government documentation, official figures, data, statistics, photos, videos, and CCTV footage of killings.

What was the initial directive that launched the campaign against illegal drugs?

The campaign was launched through a command circular that outlined how police operations should be conducted.

What language was used in the command circular that may have encouraged violations of due process?

The command circular used terms such as 'negation' and 'neutralization' of drug suspects, which were not clearly defined but could have been interpreted as permission to kill.

How many police reports were examined as part of the investigation mentioned in the script?

The script mentions examining 25 police reports that suggest guns were planted on drug suspects who had been killed.

What was found to be suspicious about the serial numbers of the guns found on the drug suspects in the 25 police reports?

The serial numbers of the guns found on the drug suspects were exactly the same, suggesting that the guns may have been planted after the killings to make it look like self-defense.

What other issues were identified in the post-operative investigations into the killings?

The script mentions the use of 'cut and paste' language in 22 reports, indicating a lack of integrity in filling out the reports.

What kind of threats and harassment have human rights defenders been facing according to the script?

Human rights defenders have been facing death threats and harassment, including being labeled as terrorists and equated with the armed wing of the Communist Party in posters across places like Negros Island.

What is the High Commissioner's recommendation in response to the scale of killings and human rights violations documented in the report?

The High Commissioner is calling for an independent investigation into the situation and human rights violations in the Philippines, which could be either national or international.

What is the High Commissioner's stance on supporting an investigation into the human rights violations in the Philippines?

The High Commissioner stands ready to support a credible investigation, whether it is a national or an international one.